Update

Implementation of the 2016 Political Declaration on Ending AIDS discussed at International AIDS Conference

22 July 2016

In June 2016, United Nations Member States committed to implementing a bold agenda to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS. The progressive, new and actionable Political Declaration includes a set of specific, time-bound targets and actions that must be achieved by 2020 to get on the Fast-Track and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

During the 21st International AIDS Conference, taking place in Durban, South Africa, participants at a session entitled “From commitments to actions: implications of the 2016 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS,” discussed the implications of the Political Declaration, with a focus on implementation and accountability. The need to Fast-Track the AIDS response by breaking the silos and engaging with all sectors and coalitions in a whole-of-government approach in order to achieve the goals and targets of the Political Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals was highlighted. The participants reiterated the call for a fully funded AIDS response that was made throughout the conference, including full funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The participants included UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Jan Beagle, South Africa’s Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, and Javier Hourcade Bellocq, of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. They reflected on the importance of translating the Political Declaration’s global targets into goals based on regional specificities, following a population and location approach. The session was co-chaired by Mwaba P. Kasese-Bota, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations, and Olive Shisana, Co-Chair of the 21st International AIDS Conference and former Chief Executive Officer of the South African Human Sciences Research Council.

Quotes

“Unless we achieve with HIV, we will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Aaron Motsoaledi Minister of Health, South Africa

"We are at a turning point in the AIDS response. We have the mandate, we have the strategy, we have the tools and commitment to the targets. Now together we must translate them into action.”

Jan Beagle UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director

"Political processes will not give us all what we need, but we must continue to be involved."

Javier Hourcade Bellocq International HIV/AIDS Alliance